BRADENTON – The Yellow Ribbon Homeless Veterans Program, part of Turning Points’ effort to assist the homeless citizens in Manatee County, is holding its 20th annual Stand Down event on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Manatee County Fair Grounds, 1303 17th St. West in Palmetto. This year’s theme is “Standing Proudly for 20 Years”.
“We are proud to plan and execute the 20th consecutive Stand Down for Manatee and Sarasota Counties. The vendors and volunteers at this event will help us fulfill critical basic needs for hundreds of clients who need food, clothes, showers, medical, dental, employment and housing. This event allows our staff to continue our mission to truly leave no Veteran behind. Our quest is for a future where there are no homeless, hungry, or hopeless Veterans” said Derrick Heard, Yellow Ribbon Program Manager.
This event focuses on helping homeless and potentially homeless veterans and their families but also helps non-veterans and their families receive critical needs services. These services include: hot breakfast, showers, distribution of hygiene products, clothing distribution, general and mental health screenings (including flu shots), dental and vision services, veteran services, and legal service consultations. Opening ceremonies start the Stand Down at 8:00am with all of the services following thereafter. The Open Door Band (a renown local rock band) will be performing all morning at the main stage along with The Captain’s AMERICA-Third Watch host, Matt Bruce, as the emcee and Jessica Cary will sing the National Anthem. Prizes will also be raffled off at 11:30am.
Turning Points is partnering with over 25 local organizations including: Bay Pines VA Medical Center, The Salvation Army, Centerstone, CareerSource Suncoast, MCR Health Services, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Manatee County Health Department, Jewish Family and Children Services, Walgreens, LECOM, Goodwill Manasota, Family Resources Inc., Hope Family Services, Whole Child Manatee and many Veterans, religious, and other organizations. Also there are over 300 volunteers from the community that assist in registration and providing services.
Stand Down will be a life-changing event for many of the veterans we will see on November 3rd. It is absolutely amazing to see the transition that can occur in a homeless veteran’s life upon accessing the Yellow Ribbon Program at Turning Points, as he/she gets off the street, is placed in a home, is given exposure to job opportunities and starts a new life!
About Turning Points
Turning Points and our Bill Galvano One Stop Center partners provide a remarkable variety of services designed to assist individuals and families on their path to financial stability and independence. Turning Points is the one stop shop for preventing and ending homelessness in our community. We provide day resource services (such as hot showers, laundry services, clothing, food), employment services, rental and utility assistance, veteran’s services (employment, housing and childcare), and free medical and dental care for the uninsured and underinsured. Over 10,000 people received help last year with critical services targeted to the essential needs of people in crisis. Turning Points can only provide this high standard of service because of our caring, compassionate volunteers and strong community support.
